The next morning, I woke up on a very soft and comfortable bed. I felt so good lying in bed that I didn't want to get up at all! But I would only be spending 2 whole days in Manado! I better make full use of my time here! So I pulled myself out of bed and took a nice, hot shower! Ahh... it felt so good!
Then I opened the door to the outside world and once again, I was amazed! I knew I was staying by the sea... but since we arrived in the night, the day before, I didn't know how the view from our room looked.. or how the hotel looked like! I was so surprised that I "ooooh-ed" and "aaaah-ed" aloud to myself as my travelling partner slept soundly on her bed. Though I desperately wanted to wake her up to breathe in the fresh, mildly salty sea breeze, I couldn't bring myself to wake her up as she was sleeping like a baby.
So, I took the first step out of the door, looked around ,relishing the opportunity to be able to enjoy this view. It's been so long since I've been out to sea that I have almost forgotten how good it felt! It's really refreshing to wake up to the sound of chirping birds, gentle waves hitting on the shores of the beaches, and the sight of colourful flowers greeting you with a brand, new smile each day.
View from My Room.JPG)
Ahh! Clear Skies, Blue Seas... And A Big, Green BoatAs I stepped out into the garden, my senses are finally awakened once again. In KL, the only 'green' I notice is that of the PETRONAS logo, which I see every day. Other than that, the 'green' that I am exposed to are those on T-shirts and TV.
I have long forgotten that different shades of green do exist naturally on this planet! Look here.. there's dark green, bright green, moderate colour of green just on this small plot of land.I walk along the beaten path and I arrive at the cafe, which happens to be right above the sea too! It was simply soothing! I take some bread and tiny, delicious pancakes for breakfast and choose the best spot for sea-viewing. Ahhh.... tranquilizing. Time just seems to stop on this island. I've completely forgotten what day of the month it is, nor the time, nor the year. I have a strong desire to stay here forever. Stuck in this time zone, until I grow bored again. Yet, as advanced as we are in technology, mankind still hasn't invented the ultimate machine that allows time travel. So, in the meantime, we shall use up all our holidays and live them to the fullest!
My special spot for sea-viewing!As soon as my friend wakes up, she comes over and joins me for breakfast. A waiter surprises us by giving us our own personal plate of fruits for dessert!
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My Personal plate of Papayas and LemonsYes! Yes! Today I'm going to snorkel around Bunaken Island! This place is reputed for diving! I just can't wait to start! I hurriedly finish my breakfast and eagerly went to try out my diving gear although I don't dive. Today, I'd be joining the diving team . I'd be snorkeling nearby as the divers dive deep into the ocean. The idea doesn't seem too tantalizing. Nevertheless, I have not received any official lessons on diving. So, I can only snorkel for the moment. Yet, I'm excited about the prospect of snorkeling at one of the most famous diving spots in Indonesia!
The little diving hut in Cocotinos Resort
All diving gears are kept in an orderly sequence here
This is the boat that I'd be taking for the day
The little diving hut in Cocotinos Resort.JPG)
All diving gears are kept in an orderly sequence here.JPG)
This is the boat that I'd be taking for the dayAt 8am, I started trying out different sizes of snorkeling masks and several pairs of fins. Before I tried them on, the person in charge of all these gears asks me, "So, do you know how to wear them?"
I shook my head. When I went to Redang Island about 5 years back, I tried learning to snorkel, but I just didn't feel comfortable. So, I threw everything aside and put on my goggles instead! We had such a fun time feeding the fishes and looking at the colourful fishes swimming around us.
Now, I have totally no idea how to wear all these! Besides, the last time i went, I didn't have to use snorkeling masks and fins! The chief diving guide, Jackie, however insisted on me wearing a diving suit. I have never worn one before. So, I didn't really liked the idea of snorkeling in a diving suit! It seems tight and uncomfortable. Furthermore, I didn't see the necessary reasons for doing so. So I held up the diving suit and asked Jackie, "Why should I be wearing this? Do I really need to put it on?"
Jackie made a serious face and said, "Of course! When you go snorkelling later, you might be bitten by some small fishes!"
Oh oh! I definitely do not want to be bitten by fishes! Fine. I shall wear it. Though I don't think the fishes will bite me. So, I took the diving suit and took it with me on the boat. Hmm... the divers here are very professional!
Bunaken island is just right opposite Cocotinos resort. It takes about 40 minutes to reach our first diving spot. There, we get into our diving suits and the divers will snorkel for about 50 minutes, while I will snorkel about 55 minutes. At each diving spot, this routine will be repeated.
On the way to Lekuan 1, our first diving spot, I noticed that there were 2 layers of clouds in the sky! I've never noticed before! The clouds were so close to the sea that I felt they were only about less than 5 metres apart! Now, I've never realized this before!
As I remarked to my snorkeling guide, Hunny, he remarks, "Oh! You've never seen this before? wow! Here, in Manado, we see this everyday! Look!" he points out towards Manado Tua island (in the picture below). " You see there, the cloud covering the mountain? The fishermen around here believe that if the clouds are covering the mountain, it will be a clear and sunny day. If the clouds are hovering above the mountain, then it will rain soon!"
"Waaaaah! Really?" Another amazing discovery. True enough.. in the afternoon, it began drizzling! Never doubt the words of those who has lived on this earth long enough!
As I sat quietly in the boat, some of the mat sallehs climbed out to the front of the boat and disappeared. "Hmm.. where did they go???" I wonder. So, I climbed up as well and was so amused! I couldn't laugh out loud... I could only laugh in my heart! I saw them sun-bathing on the roof of the boat! The diving team had even prepared a mattress for them to lie upon! wow! No wonder they can come diving for 2 weeks continuously! How relaxing!
Before each dive, our chief diving guide, Jackie, would give us an outline of the terrain that we would be visiting. His fellow team member would use a thick felt marker pen to draw on the white board, while he would explain everything.
Lekuan 2, our second diving spot, was a steep wall. The divers would dive down to 25 metres. There'd be only 1 entrance and 1 exit point. The guide even told us what sort of fishes to expect while diving/snorkeling! Before he even finished explaining, I just couldn't wait to jump into the deep, blue ocean!
Of course, before I jumped in, I had to obey some house rules, which was to put on the diving suit, the snorkeling mask and the fins! They were truly uncomfortable. At first, I wore the diving suit back to front! I was so embarassed! Hunny, my snorkeling guide, couldn't stop laughing and consoled me by saying, "Don't worry! This always happens! hhahaha!"
Me in my diving suit!
When I finally put on everything appropriately, I jumped into the water! But the water kept entering the snorkeling mask! I couldn't see anything! I kept kicking and struggling in the water! Though I knew how to swim, putting on the fins had however 'handicapped' me. I felt so helpless! Hunny then decided to put a life jacket on me to make life easier for him and me. hhahaa!
I then found out that the snorkeling mask had to be tied at an appropriate length. It couldn't be too loose, otherwise water will seep through. It coulnd't be too tight either, otherwise, it'd cause abrasions on my face and leave deep sun-burn marks for days! I definitely don't want that happening! So, at the first diving spot, I didn't see much! 'coz I kept struggling in the water, kicking into Hunny, holding onto Hunny, busy pushing away all the hair out of my face, putting the mask back on, taking it out when it becomes misty again, and repeating the whole cycle for a couple of times until it was time to return to the boat. Ahh!! So tiring!
Soon, we proceeded to the next spot. This time, I knew what to expect. So, before I jumped into the water, I made sure my hair was away from my face, put the mask on before I jumped , and I began learning to snorkel properly. Before I decided to snorkel at Bunaken, I totally igonred the fact that I was severely short-sighted, thinking that it didn't matter. After all, I would be under water, the fish would come swimming towards me anyway. However, because I forgot to bring some bread, little did I know that I'd be watching them from afar!
I think Hunny must have had a tough time guiding me towards the right direction and attracting my attention towards special fishes, creatures and corals! Since both of us were underwater, most of the time, I didn't understand what he wanted me to look at. I just looked at what I could see! I'd be lucky when the sun shone upon the fishes andI'd be able to see the fishes swimming ahead happily from one point to another. However, when the clouds passed by, the sun rays were blocked, and I'd be as blind as a bat, plunged into darkness, leaving me much room for my imagination.
One incident still stays vividly in my mind. Hunny was prodding me to look at something really rare and significant amongst some corals on the seabed. He asked me if i could see. I looked at what Hunny was pointing to, the direction of his fingers, but I just couldn't figure out what he wanted me to look at! The water depth was about 5-10 metres.. and I just squinted my eyes as much as possible, trying to see clearer and look further ahead. But I just didn't get him! So, I asked him to go up to the surface. and made him talk.
"What do you want me to see, Hunny? I don't see anything!" I exclaimed.
"Arrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghh!!!!" Hunny sounded so frustrated! hhahah! "I want you to see the turtle ler! Did you see it? Did you see it?" He asks excitedly.
"Oh no! I can't seee!!!"
"Ok.. never mind, never mind! Let me point it out to you!"
Hunny holds his breath, and dives deep down to the seabed, points directly at which I presume to be a turtle, looks up to me in his snorkel mask and asks in sign language, "Do you see? Can you see?"
I can't help burst out laughing underwater! I think Hunny is suffering. The shell of the turtle and the corals are both brown, almost the same colour! I better not make him stay down there for too long. I better say "yes" before he drags me down to have a closer look at it too! So, I simply answered "yes!" and gave him a thumbs up sign. Suddenly, I had this realization that my eyesight was really bad. I need to get a real good snorkeling mask adjusted to the power of my eyes before going snorkeling again next time!
At all 3 locations, Hunny pointed out many creatures and corals to me! Unfortunately, I could only spot about one-fourth of what he pointed out to me. Half of the time, I was left to my imagination. Because at the place where I was snorkeling, the water was quite shallow, most of the corals were already dead. The seabed was mostly brown, with corals that looked hard and of the same colour as the sand! I didn't see many live corals which were bright and swaying to the left and right. When the sun-rays shone upon the fishes directly, I was the happiest person that day 'coz it certainly improved my vision! When the sun shone through the seawater, I could see shiny schools of fishes swimming with a certain direction in mind. The best part about snorkeling at Bunaken was I got to see several blue starfishes at the bottom of the seabed! I also spotted a few nemo fishes , eels and baby barracuda! I was so happy! Though I can't have them for lunch, at least I can see them swimming underwater! It was certainly a magical sight to behold!
When I told Hunny that I'd be better off looking at these underwater life at the marine museums, he totally disagreed! "Jean! You ought to learn diving! Snorkeling is not going to bring you anywhere! Trust me! Once you learn diving, you will get addicted! You will want to dive again and again!"
Yes! Yes! I know it! After this, I will take diving lessons as planned. I definitely don't want it to be my last thought before I heave my last breath.
I shook my head. When I went to Redang Island about 5 years back, I tried learning to snorkel, but I just didn't feel comfortable. So, I threw everything aside and put on my goggles instead! We had such a fun time feeding the fishes and looking at the colourful fishes swimming around us.
Now, I have totally no idea how to wear all these! Besides, the last time i went, I didn't have to use snorkeling masks and fins! The chief diving guide, Jackie, however insisted on me wearing a diving suit. I have never worn one before. So, I didn't really liked the idea of snorkeling in a diving suit! It seems tight and uncomfortable. Furthermore, I didn't see the necessary reasons for doing so. So I held up the diving suit and asked Jackie, "Why should I be wearing this? Do I really need to put it on?"
Jackie made a serious face and said, "Of course! When you go snorkelling later, you might be bitten by some small fishes!"
Oh oh! I definitely do not want to be bitten by fishes! Fine. I shall wear it. Though I don't think the fishes will bite me. So, I took the diving suit and took it with me on the boat. Hmm... the divers here are very professional!
Bunaken island is just right opposite Cocotinos resort. It takes about 40 minutes to reach our first diving spot. There, we get into our diving suits and the divers will snorkel for about 50 minutes, while I will snorkel about 55 minutes. At each diving spot, this routine will be repeated.
On the way to Lekuan 1, our first diving spot, I noticed that there were 2 layers of clouds in the sky! I've never noticed before! The clouds were so close to the sea that I felt they were only about less than 5 metres apart! Now, I've never realized this before!
As I remarked to my snorkeling guide, Hunny, he remarks, "Oh! You've never seen this before? wow! Here, in Manado, we see this everyday! Look!" he points out towards Manado Tua island (in the picture below). " You see there, the cloud covering the mountain? The fishermen around here believe that if the clouds are covering the mountain, it will be a clear and sunny day. If the clouds are hovering above the mountain, then it will rain soon!"
"Waaaaah! Really?" Another amazing discovery. True enough.. in the afternoon, it began drizzling! Never doubt the words of those who has lived on this earth long enough!
.JPG)
As I sat quietly in the boat, some of the mat sallehs climbed out to the front of the boat and disappeared. "Hmm.. where did they go???" I wonder. So, I climbed up as well and was so amused! I couldn't laugh out loud... I could only laugh in my heart! I saw them sun-bathing on the roof of the boat! The diving team had even prepared a mattress for them to lie upon! wow! No wonder they can come diving for 2 weeks continuously! How relaxing!
Before each dive, our chief diving guide, Jackie, would give us an outline of the terrain that we would be visiting. His fellow team member would use a thick felt marker pen to draw on the white board, while he would explain everything.
Lekuan 2, our second diving spot, was a steep wall. The divers would dive down to 25 metres. There'd be only 1 entrance and 1 exit point. The guide even told us what sort of fishes to expect while diving/snorkeling! Before he even finished explaining, I just couldn't wait to jump into the deep, blue ocean!
Of course, before I jumped in, I had to obey some house rules, which was to put on the diving suit, the snorkeling mask and the fins! They were truly uncomfortable. At first, I wore the diving suit back to front! I was so embarassed! Hunny, my snorkeling guide, couldn't stop laughing and consoled me by saying, "Don't worry! This always happens! hhahaha!"
Me in my diving suit!When I finally put on everything appropriately, I jumped into the water! But the water kept entering the snorkeling mask! I couldn't see anything! I kept kicking and struggling in the water! Though I knew how to swim, putting on the fins had however 'handicapped' me. I felt so helpless! Hunny then decided to put a life jacket on me to make life easier for him and me. hhahaa!
I then found out that the snorkeling mask had to be tied at an appropriate length. It couldn't be too loose, otherwise water will seep through. It coulnd't be too tight either, otherwise, it'd cause abrasions on my face and leave deep sun-burn marks for days! I definitely don't want that happening! So, at the first diving spot, I didn't see much! 'coz I kept struggling in the water, kicking into Hunny, holding onto Hunny, busy pushing away all the hair out of my face, putting the mask back on, taking it out when it becomes misty again, and repeating the whole cycle for a couple of times until it was time to return to the boat. Ahh!! So tiring!
Soon, we proceeded to the next spot. This time, I knew what to expect. So, before I jumped into the water, I made sure my hair was away from my face, put the mask on before I jumped , and I began learning to snorkel properly. Before I decided to snorkel at Bunaken, I totally igonred the fact that I was severely short-sighted, thinking that it didn't matter. After all, I would be under water, the fish would come swimming towards me anyway. However, because I forgot to bring some bread, little did I know that I'd be watching them from afar!
I think Hunny must have had a tough time guiding me towards the right direction and attracting my attention towards special fishes, creatures and corals! Since both of us were underwater, most of the time, I didn't understand what he wanted me to look at. I just looked at what I could see! I'd be lucky when the sun shone upon the fishes andI'd be able to see the fishes swimming ahead happily from one point to another. However, when the clouds passed by, the sun rays were blocked, and I'd be as blind as a bat, plunged into darkness, leaving me much room for my imagination.
One incident still stays vividly in my mind. Hunny was prodding me to look at something really rare and significant amongst some corals on the seabed. He asked me if i could see. I looked at what Hunny was pointing to, the direction of his fingers, but I just couldn't figure out what he wanted me to look at! The water depth was about 5-10 metres.. and I just squinted my eyes as much as possible, trying to see clearer and look further ahead. But I just didn't get him! So, I asked him to go up to the surface. and made him talk.
"What do you want me to see, Hunny? I don't see anything!" I exclaimed.
"Arrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghh!!!!" Hunny sounded so frustrated! hhahah! "I want you to see the turtle ler! Did you see it? Did you see it?" He asks excitedly.
"Oh no! I can't seee!!!"
"Ok.. never mind, never mind! Let me point it out to you!"
Hunny holds his breath, and dives deep down to the seabed, points directly at which I presume to be a turtle, looks up to me in his snorkel mask and asks in sign language, "Do you see? Can you see?"
I can't help burst out laughing underwater! I think Hunny is suffering. The shell of the turtle and the corals are both brown, almost the same colour! I better not make him stay down there for too long. I better say "yes" before he drags me down to have a closer look at it too! So, I simply answered "yes!" and gave him a thumbs up sign. Suddenly, I had this realization that my eyesight was really bad. I need to get a real good snorkeling mask adjusted to the power of my eyes before going snorkeling again next time!
At all 3 locations, Hunny pointed out many creatures and corals to me! Unfortunately, I could only spot about one-fourth of what he pointed out to me. Half of the time, I was left to my imagination. Because at the place where I was snorkeling, the water was quite shallow, most of the corals were already dead. The seabed was mostly brown, with corals that looked hard and of the same colour as the sand! I didn't see many live corals which were bright and swaying to the left and right. When the sun-rays shone upon the fishes directly, I was the happiest person that day 'coz it certainly improved my vision! When the sun shone through the seawater, I could see shiny schools of fishes swimming with a certain direction in mind. The best part about snorkeling at Bunaken was I got to see several blue starfishes at the bottom of the seabed! I also spotted a few nemo fishes , eels and baby barracuda! I was so happy! Though I can't have them for lunch, at least I can see them swimming underwater! It was certainly a magical sight to behold!
When I told Hunny that I'd be better off looking at these underwater life at the marine museums, he totally disagreed! "Jean! You ought to learn diving! Snorkeling is not going to bring you anywhere! Trust me! Once you learn diving, you will get addicted! You will want to dive again and again!"
Yes! Yes! I know it! After this, I will take diving lessons as planned. I definitely don't want it to be my last thought before I heave my last breath.
During lunch, a man in a small boat came rowing by. He was chatting with one of the diving team members at the bow of the boat, with a big bag of stuff beside him. I kept wondering what was in the bag until I couldn't stand it anymore that I went to the bow too! Lo and behold! The guy was selling things! There were Bunaken T-shirts, wooden toys, wooden boats and airplanes to fix, just like Lego, bracelets, anklets and necklaces all made of seashells. I was so taken in that I decided to buy one for my cousin. But, when I put it on, I loved the sight of it so much so that I decided to keep it for myself instead. hehe!
The small boat... I especially love the sight of the two bamboos on both sides of the 'sampan'. See! Another demonstration of how useful bamboo is on this part of the island.
This is how the man 'latched' onto the bigger boatWhile the divers were waiting for about 1 hour to re-fill their oxygen tank, we sat on the boat, looking out to sea. When I happened to look down into the ocean to have a look at the water, I realized that we had stopped at a very shallow part of the sea indeed! I could see through the water! Unfortunately, I couldn't see any fishes swimming happily around. All I saw were the corals which were stagnant.
Corals in Bunaken... probably growing at the wrong water depth
Corals on another side of the boat... Doesn't the sea look so inviting? It's beckoning us to jump into its open arms!On the third dive, as I was putting on my life jacket, Hunny said, "Jean! Don't you dare put on the life jacket anymore! You can swim! So, just jump into the sea and taste the freedom."
Well, I thought, I ought to try swimming with the fins on, and the life jacket off. After all, there's no harm done in trying. So, I threw the life jacket aside and jumped into the deep, blue sea. I was so happy that I was finally calm in the water, and I could stay afloat without kicking and struggling, that the diving team took a picture of me! heehhe!
Yes! I finally made it!As I snorkelled around the Bunaken island for the 3rd time, I saw a bunch of colourful corals swaying silently according to the motion of the underwater current. I wished I had an underwater camera at that time. Then again, the best memories are always those that remain in our minds. We don't have to snap pictures all the time. As I oogle at the coral, Hunny urges me forward, as if saying, "Hurry hurry. There's not enough time for you to look at this! There are still so much more to see!" So, I follow along. This time, I'm more calm. I'm able to take in all there is to see, bit by bit.
By the time I have finally mastered the 'art' of snorkeling, Hunny shows the time's up sign. It's time for me to climb up to the boat. He swims away from the corals and back into the part of the sea that seems bottomless for once. Time flies. I didn't even realize that it was already 5pm! Awww! I really do want to stay longer here!
As I climbed up onto the boat, I look around Bunaken island. It had such a magical charm on it. I just couldn't take my eyes off it as our boat Captain slowly steered the boat towards Cocotinos Resort once again.
By the time I have finally mastered the 'art' of snorkeling, Hunny shows the time's up sign. It's time for me to climb up to the boat. He swims away from the corals and back into the part of the sea that seems bottomless for once. Time flies. I didn't even realize that it was already 5pm! Awww! I really do want to stay longer here!
As I climbed up onto the boat, I look around Bunaken island. It had such a magical charm on it. I just couldn't take my eyes off it as our boat Captain slowly steered the boat towards Cocotinos Resort once again.
.JPG)
Bunaken Island-I can see the cross perched high up on the church!After snorkeling, I sat at the cafe on the sea, waiting for my friend to arrive from her highland tour. I took out a few magazines to read under natural sunlight. A waiter came by to offer me a cup of tea. As I sipped the tea, I looked out to sea. It was almost 5.30, or around 6pm. The sun was setting. Right in front of my eyes was the most tranquil scene ever! A picture of pink, violet, blue, red and orange, flooded the skies. I was awestruck. How long has it been since I last had the time to observe the colours of sunset or sunrise? When was the last time I sat on the grass and enjoyed every passing minute without a single worry on my mind? All these seem as if they happened eons ago. And now, I'm reliving them, nostalgic, all old feelings rekindled. I remind myself, "Jean! U must learn to appreciate the simple things of life again. Sunrise, sunset, rain and shine, the colours of the flowers, leaves and branches, learn to enjoy them again."
At night, we took a ride into the city. First stop, we bought some kuih terang bulan. In Malaysia, we call it 'ban zhang kuih' or in Malay, apam balik. The creative guys spreaded lots of butter, chocolate, cheese and sprinkled lots of peanuts and sugar over it. They folded it into half, cut it and gave each of us a piece to try! I took one bite and I hungrily devoured the rest! It was sinfully delicious!
Next stop, I bought some souvenirs for my friends and relatives. At the 3rd stop, I bought a local traditional bamboo music album. 4th stop, I bought some local kerepek.
At about 10pm, we stopped for dinner at a local Minahasa restaurant. Though we had to wait 1 hour for our food to arrive, we were certainly entertained by a group of fellow patrons who decided to put on their best dresses and sang several Christian songs! The moment I heard the lyrics and the melody, I knew they were hymns and worship songs. It's been a long time since I went to Church and I feel that I ought to go back real soon. Well, it's never too late. hehe!
After our dinner, we decided to go to Pantai Bahu for a long walk. Built on reclaimed land, it houses a mall and some expensive cafes and restaurants right beside the beach.
Bahu Mall-All Lighted Up In The Night
As we looked up into the sky, we saw a rare phenomena. There was another ring of light around the moon. Aptly named Corona, the rings are formed by refraction of moonlight from ice crystals in the sky among the clouds. In Vietnam, as I travelled with my friend on my last day in her hometown of An Giang Province, I saw the corona too! I wonder if I 'm destined to see Corona-s on my last day of holiday each time. Stunned into silence. Dumbstruck.
As a plane flew past, our guide said, "Look! Look! That's the only fly that can't be eaten here in Manado!"Apparently, in Manado, Minahasa people consume bats, dogs, rats and even snakes! It is said that the Minahasa restaurants will serve any living thing that flies, walks, swims, slithers or crawls on the table. Sara, my travelling partner, could only nod weakly in agreement. The mere mention of the phrase 'fly that can't be eaten' strikes a vivid and horrifying image in her mind.
Earlier in the morning, she had witnessed live puppies being butchered and its meat sold for consumption. One of the guys in the market even made her smile at her own camera while she stood beside one of the meat stalls! On the bucher's table, the puppies were dead. All of them were black, about 1 feet long, laid down side by side with their mouths wide open. One could still their teeth, tongue and eyes. Oh! The helpless little puppies!
In our local market, meat such as chicken, duck and beef, are sold only after they've been slaughtered and cut up into pieces. Some are even deboned and de-skinned! But here, in Manado, dogs are sold like fishes! Imagine that!
A lover of dogs, Sara was overwhelmed by the sight that greeted her. She saw dogs caged in a compound, the clock of their lives just ticking away as the locals dropped in one by one, to select the best dog to be chopped up for food on the table. The smell in the market was so overpowering that when she arrived at the hotel, she could still smell it the whole night! Needless to say, Sara didn't even touched a single bite of our dinner which consisted of chicken, rice and onions. She could only drink up her favourite sour sop juice.
Now, Am I glad I went snorkeling!
Bats on the table
Jungle Rats on Skewers
Slithering Snakes Waiting to be Sliced Open
Grilled Fish
At night, we took a ride into the city. First stop, we bought some kuih terang bulan. In Malaysia, we call it 'ban zhang kuih' or in Malay, apam balik. The creative guys spreaded lots of butter, chocolate, cheese and sprinkled lots of peanuts and sugar over it. They folded it into half, cut it and gave each of us a piece to try! I took one bite and I hungrily devoured the rest! It was sinfully delicious!
Next stop, I bought some souvenirs for my friends and relatives. At the 3rd stop, I bought a local traditional bamboo music album. 4th stop, I bought some local kerepek.
At about 10pm, we stopped for dinner at a local Minahasa restaurant. Though we had to wait 1 hour for our food to arrive, we were certainly entertained by a group of fellow patrons who decided to put on their best dresses and sang several Christian songs! The moment I heard the lyrics and the melody, I knew they were hymns and worship songs. It's been a long time since I went to Church and I feel that I ought to go back real soon. Well, it's never too late. hehe!
After our dinner, we decided to go to Pantai Bahu for a long walk. Built on reclaimed land, it houses a mall and some expensive cafes and restaurants right beside the beach.
.JPG)
Bahu Mall-All Lighted Up In The NightAs a plane flew past, our guide said, "Look! Look! That's the only fly that can't be eaten here in Manado!"Apparently, in Manado, Minahasa people consume bats, dogs, rats and even snakes! It is said that the Minahasa restaurants will serve any living thing that flies, walks, swims, slithers or crawls on the table. Sara, my travelling partner, could only nod weakly in agreement. The mere mention of the phrase 'fly that can't be eaten' strikes a vivid and horrifying image in her mind.
Earlier in the morning, she had witnessed live puppies being butchered and its meat sold for consumption. One of the guys in the market even made her smile at her own camera while she stood beside one of the meat stalls! On the bucher's table, the puppies were dead. All of them were black, about 1 feet long, laid down side by side with their mouths wide open. One could still their teeth, tongue and eyes. Oh! The helpless little puppies!
In our local market, meat such as chicken, duck and beef, are sold only after they've been slaughtered and cut up into pieces. Some are even deboned and de-skinned! But here, in Manado, dogs are sold like fishes! Imagine that!
A lover of dogs, Sara was overwhelmed by the sight that greeted her. She saw dogs caged in a compound, the clock of their lives just ticking away as the locals dropped in one by one, to select the best dog to be chopped up for food on the table. The smell in the market was so overpowering that when she arrived at the hotel, she could still smell it the whole night! Needless to say, Sara didn't even touched a single bite of our dinner which consisted of chicken, rice and onions. She could only drink up her favourite sour sop juice.
Now, Am I glad I went snorkeling!
Bats on the table
Jungle Rats on Skewers
Slithering Snakes Waiting to be Sliced Open
Grilled Fish
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